MARQUETTE, Mich. — Marquette Area Public Schools will study
the idea of a later start time for high school students, after several school
board trustees said they might support such a plan depending on the economic
effect on the district, according to The (Marquette) Mining Journal.

School board trustee Mark Smith said at a recent meeting
that the district should consider the benefits and disadvantages of an 8:30
a.m. high school start time, rather than the current 7:30 a.m., The Journal
reported.

Smith said he has read studies indicating that later high
school start times correlate to better grades, reduced tardiness, a more
interested student body and fewer morning car accidents, according to The
Journal.

His support hinges on whether changes could be made without
added costs, Smith said, The Journal reported. According to the National Sleep
Foundation, schools or districts in 19 states have shifted high school start
times and more than 100 districts are considering it, according to The Journal.